Tag Archives: AZ Sun Program

Arizona Public Service Co. announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) from solar developers and installers to construct two 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic facilities – financed by APS through the company’s AZ Sun Program.

The RFP began on June 16, and interested parties are encouraged to participate in a bidder’s webinar on June 23. Additional information about the webinar and the RFP is available online at aps.com/rfp.

Projects must utilize commercially proven technology. When completed in 2015, the new solar facilities – one located on Luke Air Force Base and the other to be built in partnership with the City of Phoenix – will be owned and operated by APS. These facilities will join seven other AZ Sun Projects that are already online or under construction, totaling 170 MW of solar energy for Arizona – enough to power more than 42,000 APS customers.

With the AZ Sun Program, APS is investing in the development of solar photovoltaic power plants across Arizona. The program allows APS to partner with third-party developers and equipment providers to design and construct the facilities, which increase the opportunity for more developers to participate since project financing is provided by APS.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves nearly 1.2 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

Arizona Public Service Company’s efforts to increase the adoption of renewable energy like solar continue to earn national recognition. APS was ranked third in the Annual Megawatts category and fourth in the Annual Watts Per Customer Category – both rankings the highest ever for the company – in the 2011 Utility Solar Rankings announced on April 17 by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA).

With approximately 145 megawatts of solar energy added to its system in 2011, APS beat out more than 240 other utilities for the third place ranking.

“Last year was a banner year for renewable energy development at APS, we saw more customers install solar than in any prior year, and we brought 45 megawatts of APS-owned solar online through our AZ Sun Program,” said Pat Dinkel, APS Vice President of Power Marketing, Resource Planning and Acquisition. “Renewable energy is good for our customers because it allows APS to invest in building a long-term diverse portfolio that takes into account affordability, dependability and sustainability.”

APS’s current renewable portfolio contains more than 900 megawatts of renewable energy, including projects online or under development. When these resources are placed into service, they will provide enough clean, renewable electricity to power 225,000 Arizona homes.

“We congratulate APS for being a solar power leader in the electric utility sector,” said Julia Hamm, SEPA President and Chief Executive Officer. “APS successfully adapted its business models and operations to allow for a significant amount of solar energy to be integrated into the grid last year, delivering the many benefits of clean solar energy to its customers. The impressive gains solar energy made in the U.S. in 2011 can be largely attributed to APS’s leadership.”

The Top 10 solar utilities in the category of Annual Megawatts are:

1. Pacific Gas and Electric (CA)

2. Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (NJ)

3. Arizona Public Service (AZ)

4. Southern California Edison (CA)

5. Atlantic City Electric (NJ)

6. Jersey Central Power & Light (NJ)

7. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (CA)

8. Xcel Energy – CO (CO)

9. Long Island Power Authority (NY)

10. Xcel Energy – NM (NM)

Altogether, the Top 10 utilities reported adding more than 1,000 megawatts of solar electricity capacity in 2011. Overall, more than 240 utilities surveyed reported nearly 1,500 megawatts of new solar, equivalent to about six natural gas power plants.

The full Top 10 report containing additional details about the total solar capacity of U.S. utilities, rankings by regions, geographical diversity and other utility solar trends will be available in late May at SEPATop10.org.

SEPA is an educational non-profit dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar power into their energy portfolios. With more than 1,000 utility and solar industry members, SEPA provides unbiased utility solar market intelligence, up-to-date information about technologies and business models, and peer-to-peer interaction. From hosting national events to one-on-one counseling, SEPA helps utilities make smart solar decisions.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

Arizona Public Service Co. announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) from solar developers and installers to construct a 14-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility – financed by APS through the company’s AZ Sun Program.

The RFP will commence on March 15. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in a bidder’s webinar on March 22. Additional information about the webinar and the RFP is available online.

Projects must employ commercially proven technology. When completed in 2013, the new solar facility, part of the AZ Sun Program, will be owned and operated by Arizona Public Service and is expected to provide electricity to more than 3,500 Arizona homes.

With AZ Sun, APS is investing in the development of 200 MW of solar photovoltaic power plants across Arizona. APS is partnering with third-party developers and equipment providers to design and construct the facilities, increasing the opportunity for more developers to participate since project financing is provided by APS.

The AZ Sun Program was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2010, and expanded to include another 100 MW in January 2012. The five-year program is expected to have at least eight solar facilities online by 2015 and create more than 2,400 Arizona construction jobs.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).